Group takes stand in Rochester against domestic violence

By JIM HADDADIN

jhaddadin@fosters.com

fosters.com

By JIM HADDADIN

jhaddadin@fosters.com

Posted Oct. 13, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By JIM HADDADIN

jhaddadin@fosters.com

Posted Oct. 13, 2012 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — Police officers, elected officials, advocates and city residents gathered at a candlelight vigil Friday to honor victims of domestic violence.The event was organized by A Safe Place, a non-profit organization that provides shelter and support services for victims. Founded in 1976, the group has offices in Rochester and Dover, and offers help to men, women and children in need in Strafford County.Friday’s event was one of two vigils being held by A Safe Place in October, which is domestic violence awareness month. The second takes place on Friday, Oct. 19, in Henry Law Park in Dover. It will be held beside the Children’s Museum from 6-7:30 p.m.Paula Wall, an advocate who works with A Safe Place, said participants at the vigils are asked to read and sign a pledge, which states they will work to rid their communities of domestic violence and help survivors.“This is our community’s promise, if you will,” she said. “We want to pledge that we’re going to do something about domestic violence, and we want the whole community to join us in that.”The group is celebrating the awarding this year of a federal grant to assist with the Family Justice Center, a new initiative launched in the spring. The center, which operates at the Rochester Community Center, provides an array of services for domestic violence victims in a single location.The federal grant will allow the center to operate on a full-time schedule for the next two years.“We have a lot of momentum right now in Strafford County,” Wall said.Strafford County Commissioner George Maglaras, who attended Friday’s event, said the commissioners have a responsibility for watching how the county implements the federal grant, which will sustain the Family Justice Center. The program is the first of its kind in New Hampshire, and will address issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in the county, he said.“We’re trying to make the system more consumer-driven, so that instead of having victims of domestic violence or sexual crimes have to go to different places to receive services, they do it all under one roof,” he said.Commissioner Robert Watson said although the grant will only fund the program for two years, if it proves successful, the Family Justice Center could receive additional federal money in the future.“Two years will be a good chance for them to show how valuable it is,” he said.Rochester Police Chief Michael Allen is serving on the advisory board for the Family Justice Center, a position he’s held since taking over as chief this summer. Rochester Detective Robert Frechette, the department’s domestic violence officer, has been staffing the center since it launched several months ago. The grant will allow Frechette to be assigned there full-time, Allen said.In addition to assistance from the police, victims of domestic assault and sexual violence are eligible for free legal help and services from a confidential advocate. The center has also partnered with the Division for Children, Youth and Families. Earlier this year, Frechette said about one-third of all domestic abuse cases in Strafford County occur in Rochester. The new center is prepared to serve those seeking help with domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking issues.According to Frechette, the concept of Family Justice Centers started in San Diego, which launched its center in 2002. In the first six years of operation, the city saw a 90-percent reduction rate of homicides resulting from domestic violence, said Frechette, and saw dramatically lower rates of recantation by victims. Frechette said Justice Centers also lead to higher prosecution rates for abusers. Allen said he’s “ecstatic” for the opportunity to participate in a pioneer project aimed at assisting victims and bringing abusers to justice.“I can speak first-hand to what happens to families, and what happens to victims, of domestic violence, having witnessed some of that as a child growing up,” Allen said. “I know what it does to victims. I know what it does to families, and how it destroys people’s lives, and I, as the chief of police of Rochester, am committed to the safety of our community.”